What Is "Sexting" and Why Is It a Problem?

What is “Sexting” and Why is it a Problem?The word “sexting” is a combination of the words “sex” and “texting. Sexting is the slang term for the use of a cell phone or other similar electronic device to send or receive nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of sexually explicit images. It can also refer to text messages of a sexually charged nature. As technology has advanced cell phones have the ability to record and send photos, as well as videos. The practice of sending suggestive and explicit pictures has increased, especially among teenagers due to pressure from their boyfriend/girlfriend, or other social peers.

From generation to generation, teenagers and adults have been exchanging sexually suggestive and explicit letters, messages and other materials, so sexting shouldn’t come as a big surprise. On the other hand, the ease with which photos and videos can be disseminated is a concern. A photo shared between two people can quickly become a viral spectacle. We have seen this happen over the past few years with various celebrity photos and sex videos. The problem is that photos and videos that are sent privately can easily be shared with others. Once the digital images are out in the open, they leave a digital footprint, especially online.

Since sexting is such a new phenomenon, it is still debated as to what the correct form of action to take against teenagers and their use of sexting. Could sexting be considered child pornography? The Oxford Dictionary of Law Enforcement defines child pornography as: An image of a child involved in sexual activity or in a sexually provocative pose. A person who takes, makes, shows, distributes, advertises, or possesses an indecent ‘photograph or pseudo‐photograph’ of a child commits an offense. A ‘pseudo‐photograph’ is an image, created by computer graphics or any other means that resembles a photograph and can include electronically stored data that can be converted into such images. A ‘child’...

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Jesse Logan was an eighteen year old girl from Ohio, who decided to take her own life. Jesse was humiliated, after explicit photos she had sent to a boyfriend ended up circling among her peers. Most people would consider this to be sexting without even realizing whatsexting is. Sexting is sending sexually suggestive or explicit messages and or photos using mobile devices or through the internet and is one of the most recent and controversial uses of technology (“Sexting 1”). Sexting has become a new phenomenon among teenagers in today’s society. Adolescents don’t realize that there are harmful consequences to these actions that will follow them for life. This should be the responsibility of parents not local law makers.
Those opposed to this viewpoint would argue teens need to know the full consequences of their actions and the impact it has on their future. Local law makers attempt to enforce rules and regulations for numerous reasons. Such reasons include teaching children consequences of sexting who have uninvolved parents and making sure children of all ages understand that sexting is considered a crime in many jurisdictions. This viewpoint of sexting could involve the police, suspension from school and notes on a child’s permanent record that could hurt his or her chances of getting into college or finding a job. Overall, local law makers...

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...﻿Sexting has become a very common term in the past decade. The term sexting refers to the act sending sexual explicit images through text messages. Many teens currently participate in the notorious act of sexting. Often times, misunfortuniate and tragic things result from sexting . But, teens who participate in sexting should not automatically and can not be prosecuted as sex offenders.
Teens should not be prosecuted as sex offenders because sexting with other teens is not a not commit a the crime; Sexting is a indecent and shameful thing to do but it is not a crime.
According to dictionary .com the term of sexual offender can be defined as some one who has been convicted of a sex crime. Teens who participate in sexting does not make them sex offenders. To be considered or prosecuted as a sex offender they must actually commit a sex crime. Adults who are of the age of 18 and older should be prosecuted because they are not teens anymore
When teens sext , they consensually agree teens who sext consellualy agree to send sexual images to of themselves to others. In our age ,Teens know the consequences of sending images to others. If teens don’t want their image on the internet and seen by others t they should not send pictures to begin with.
No intent of harm when,teens who participate in sexting do not have criminal intent with the images,...

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...﻿Francheska Jara
English 066
Professor Viechweg
Is Sexting Really Safer Sex?
Today, more the 80% of the people who own a cellphone are at least 18 years old, and many of them have the habit of sending sexually explicit photos of themselves through social media, a habit commonly called sexting. While, everyday people are using their cell phones to communicate and keep in touch with family and friends, some use their phones in ways that aren’t smart. Sexting is a new trend that is currently happening in the United States. When discussing this topic many ask themselves, “What is Sexting?” “Is it really safer sex?” When it is examined, sexting is not sex at all, but is has emotional, legal and sometimes physical consequences, all of which be prevented.
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